carlimac

It’s not just that culture promotes cheating; it’s that it sets unrealistic expectations for what “love” and “marriage” are supposed to look like and the role they are supposed to play in one’s overall identity.  
When the final tallies are in, it may be that just as many divorces are attributable to Walt Disney as to Hugh Hefner.

This sounds logical on the surface but twisted when you scratch.  It stems from the hedonistic sexual revolution cow dung that has plagued modern society that posits sexual attraction is purely a byproduct of biology (natural man) and not Christian Love.  And even goes so far as to say Love cannot exist unless sexual attraction is there first.  I would posit that divorce happens not because sexual attraction is not present but Christian Love is not present.  And that with Christian Love, sexual expression can follow.

It is possible that the problem is worse than just that.  We have developed a condition in our society where it is not just impossible to do scientific research to determine ways and methods to help "Ken" but it has become illegal to even formally try to help or understand why in order to bring about a cure.  There is such strong resistance that to even suggest the idea of helping a "Ken" in many quarters will get someone labeled as a homophobe bigot.  Jesus addressed this in talking about the symbolic difference between light and darkness - see John 3:19-20
Note verse 20 where some avoid being reproved because their deeds are not of light.  In essence Jesus says they defend themselves by saying if they are reproved that they have the right to hate the light because of reproof.   And thus light is reproved because of the world's love of darkness and hatred of light.
Also sad because those that would help "Ken" - have no idea how to actually help and those that would not help "Ken" hate him for seeking a way out of the darkness.  So in ignorance we can only cry faith in Jesus Christ and declare repentance. 
 
The Traveler

I think the biggest problem with today's cultural patterns is that our collective "best-interest-o-meters" are badly malfunctioning and we're at a point where people equate one's best interest with their desires and feelings, to the point where people's entire identity is defined by what they want and how they feel instead of what they contribute and what they do.  
People feel pity for guys like Ken because he isn't giving in to his physical desires instead of admiring him for having the level of self control and wisdom to make his choices by his faith.  I WISH my faith were as strong as his.

Condemning bad behavior and sin is itself commendable and even desirable. But don't condemn yourself, any more than you would condemn your neighbor for his weaknesses. Though you appear to be uncommonly courageous in your honest self-examination, you do not have a God's-eye view of things. Please don't let your rigorous honesty bleed over into self-condemnation. You should show yourself the same charity you would extend to others. Not sure how that's done, but that's certainly the path.

I agree that temptation alone does not constitute a sin, and your example of the Lord in the wilderness shows that. But I believe it is a sin to purposesly put oneself into a tempting situation. While Same Sex attraction is no sin, purposesly putting yourself in a situation where you are going to face urgent and daily temptation to break the LOC seems like it would be. Also the church did not say Same Sex marriage was no longer a sin, they said it was no longer apostasy there is a difference. I think in our lives we should strive to avoid the gray areas rather than seek them out to justify potentially sinful behavior.

I'm guessing that with this temple being in Seattle, at least one of those three years will probably be for cleansing and purifying.

I’m gonna take this opportunity to vent too.
So this 16-yr-old thinks he is a one-legged person.  He lived one full year with his right leg wrapped and goes around in a wheelchair.  He goes to the doctor and tells him - take out my right leg.  The doctor sends him to the psych ward and notifies hus parents.
Another 16-yr-old thinks he’s a girl.  He lived one full year as a girl complete with hormone blockers.  He goes to the doctor and tells him - take out my genitals.  The doctor sets him up for trans surgery without notifying the parents.
That is America today.

To be fair, the sons of God shouted for joy when the foundations of the earth were laid. Likewise, the hymn says that we'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven to God and the Lamb. 
 
General Conference is apparently not the place to do so, however. 
 
The thing that stood out to me the most was that the work of gathering Israel is hastening as the time of the Second Coming is drawing close(r?). 

Juan Pablo Villar - “sure, we just have to run a few errands first.”
Matthew 10:16

Yeah, Nelson may have just been waiting until after the Sabbath to admit he's been Jewish all along.
I mean, have you ever actually seen him eat a cheeseburger?

The whole of Sat am and pm sessions. Just really good gospel basics without any jarring changes sprung on us. Sigh of relief!! I suppose that might change tomorrow.

It has been my experience that some children whine and carry on when they have to go to bed, and then they whine and carry on when they have to get out of bed.
Perhaps this tendency carries over into adulthood in other matters, like Church policies.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

It shouldn't have been a bombshell. The fact that it is only goes to show how messed up modern thinking is, even church-side.
The reality is that anyone who had a major problem with or rejoiced over the previous policy was looking at it in a severely short-sighted non-eternal-perspective way. The reality is that anyone who is either rejoicing or has a major problem with the new policy is looking at it in a severely short-sighted non-eternal-perspective way.
When looked at with an eternal perspective, nothing has really changed. There are those who rebel against God and there are those who humble themselves.
Whether one calls egregious sin "apostasy" or not is irrelevant eternally. It is what it is. And we will, individually, stand accountable for ourselves and our attitudes towards God -- humble and committed, or prideful and faithless.
Do people really believe that someone in open sexual rebellion against God in their thoughts and actions is any closer to or further from exaltation now because of this policy change, or the previous change...or the previous, or the previous, or the previous?
Do people really believe that when all is said and done that a faithful, humble, individual's salvation rests upon their parent's choices and actions? Isn't the truth of this taught in our most basic articles of faith?
The people treating this as a bombshell and some stupendous announcement apparently have no understanding of the basic principles of the gospel -- specifically agency, the Atonement, and that an all-knowing, all-loving, perfectly just God is no respector of persons.
The church could instigate a policy that no one gets baptized for the next 100 years and it would mean nothing in the end. We will all stand before God the same, our work completed, our agency intact, and receive that which is just and right. How do these policies, really, affect that?
Only, of course, in how we react to them -- on the one hand with short-sighted selfishness and pride, or on the other hand with an eternally-minded humility and faith.

There are some wild assumptions and reactions that are surprising out there in cyber world. I’m trying to get my head around them.
I think what it boils down to is that mostly, three years ago the word “apostate” created a visceral reaction in people who don’t want to be told what they are doing is so wrong. And the baptism issue infuriated people who don’t like to be told “no” whether it was something they wanted or not. 
I don’t understand why babies of gays couldn’t be given a blessing. It’s not a saving ordinance and if it makes the parents feel better- then why not. But that’s the least of the issues.
I really can’t imagine that a gay couple would want their child to get baptized. Perhaps it was the grandparents of the child who were hurting the most over the policy?
I can imagine though, a slightly older child or teenager who investigates the Church and wants to get baptized. So it makes sense to allow them to before they lose interest or change their mind before turning 18.  But I still feel it will be confusing for younger kids who live with two gay parents.
In any case, I feel bad because people, especially non-gays, misconstrued the original policy and reacted in such a self centered way as to leave the Church over it. I’m disappointed in those who say it was all a huge mistake by President Monson and the damage done can’t be repaired. I think it’s a generous outreach to soften the wording of “apostate” if it makes folks feel better. I sincerely doubt it will change the numbers of baptisms of children of gays though.

One point - I do not understand the term "babies of gays".  Gayness does not result in babies.  In all honesty - I have difficulty in understanding why those that are not involved in loving hederoisexual relationships are of the notion that they should have babies?  I have heard the arguments that gay couples are better for children than screwed up (abusive) hederoisexual couples.  But that is a strawman argument.  Just because something is better than feeding children to crocrodiles does not mean that it is desirable beyond that single circumstance.
 
The Traveler

There are some wild assumptions and reactions that are surprising out there in cyber world. I’m trying to get my head around them.
I think what it boils down to is that mostly, three years ago the word “apostate” created a visceral reaction in people who don’t want to be told what they are doing is so wrong. And the baptism issue infuriated people who don’t like to be told “no” whether it was something they wanted or not. 
I don’t understand why babies of gays couldn’t be given a blessing. It’s not a saving ordinance and if it makes the parents feel better- then why not. But that’s the least of the issues.
I really can’t imagine that a gay couple would want their child to get baptized. Perhaps it was the grandparents of the child who were hurting the most over the policy?
I can imagine though, a slightly older child or teenager who investigates the Church and wants to get baptized. So it makes sense to allow them to before they lose interest or change their mind before turning 18.  But I still feel it will be confusing for younger kids who live with two gay parents.
In any case, I feel bad because people, especially non-gays, misconstrued the original policy and reacted in such a self centered way as to leave the Church over it. I’m disappointed in those who say it was all a huge mistake by President Monson and the damage done can’t be repaired. I think it’s a generous outreach to soften the wording of “apostate” if it makes folks feel better. I sincerely doubt it will change the numbers of baptisms of children of gays though.

What I hate to see in these discussions is the absence of the name of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith had to deal with the legal system during their lives on multiple occasions.  Joseph Smith had like 200 legal cases against him.
The Church has to co-exist in a legal system.  Good thing we have some great lawyers in the Church.
Jesus was an infinite number of steps ahead of his legal enemies.  And Joseph Smith had a damn good legal mind.
Homosexuality is a sin.  It is not apostasy.  Teaching that homosexuality in not a sin is apostasy.  Entering into a legal same sex marriage is borderline...  It is obviously a sin.  But the intent of the marriage itself may not be apostasy.  If you enter into marriage for tax purposes or to declare your love to each other it isn't apostasy.  If you have same sex marriage to publicly show your distain for church doctrine - that probably is apostasy.
I think as a Church we should try harder to be more like Christ in our legal relationships.  
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
We should stay out of government.
And I have a hard time getting bent out of shape for the dozen or so cases where same sex married couples will want their children baptized in the LDS Church...
 
Anyway, I am sure that during conference all our concerns will be alleviated.
I was sealed to my eternal spouse in the Dallas TX temple 12/27/91.  My marriage license was obtained in the Dallas County Courthouse on 12/23/91.
There is an incredible difference between the two.
I hope that we see Marriages no longer offered in the Temples of the Lord.  Only sealing ceremonies.  
If you have ever been in the basement of the Salt Lake Temple waiting in the cattle runs and having to hear the temple staff repeatedly remind everyone to be reverent in the house of the Lord you might understand my point.

Handbook 1, section 16.3.6 and 16.3.7
If she has joint custody, it's a tough situation because you need to have consent from both parents.

But "mandatory" is just a word.
It doesn't change the reality of what serious transgression is. Breaking the law of chastity is breaking the law of chastity whether it's labelled "apostasy" or not.

They could try, I suppose.  But they'd have to sue the custodial parent.

I think it’s been pretty easy for apologists to categorize past policies as, at least, being appropriate for the time and place in which they existed.
This one is harder, because as @Midwest LDS says—what has changed in the last three years, really?  
(Other than, the mass apostasy of featherweight Mormons who couldn’t reconcile themselves to the 2015 policy.  Hmm, maybe that’s it.  Maybe it was supposed to be another “Zion’s Camp”/wheat-versus-tares sort of moment . . .)

I'm really struggling with this policy change. I'm really trying not to, but I remember President Nelson talking about the last change being revelation. A revelation that only lasts 3 years? An action that leads to seperation from God for eternity is no longer apostasy? I don't want to feel shook, I don't like this feeling. I'm just glad I know this is Christ's church, this would be really hard without my testimony in Christ.

Then they might as well just close down half of the temples for non use.

I have an issue with many of the rumors floating around right now.  First,  I always ask if this is something that would be announced at conference or sent out via a letter to leadership or to the general membership. This would include to me the following if they were to occur: 
Wearing the Garment only in the Temple (don't believe this one at all). 
Re-organizing Stake so only Stake Presidency, High Council and Relief Society are present on the Stake level (don't believe this either). 
Changing the service length of missionaries to 18 months or increasing length of Sister Missionaries call to 24 months. (could be, but it would be a letter with information on when this occurs and which missionaries would be given the opportunity to extend if they want). 
Allowing Sisters to be in the Sunday School Presidency and Men to serve in the Primary Presidency (could be again, but a letter is more likely than in General Conference). 
These if addressed could come out in General Conference. 
Changes to the Word of Wisdom (I don't see coffee and tea going away but a stronger stance taken on the Word of Wisdom for health sake and addressing things like vaping) 
Increase in Temples (this will most likely continue and perhaps look for another one in the Salt Lake Valley). 
Most important prediction is that we prepare this week, seek the Holy Ghost in prayer and receive revelation from the talks given on what the Savior would have us focus on individually, as families in following the Savior more, becoming more like Him.  I hope we each may have the spiritual experiences we seek and need to deepen our commitment and conversion to our Savior and Father in Heaven.  I predict I will walk away inspired, lifted, full of revelations and ready to go for the next six months.